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Texas Constitution

ARTICLE I, SECTION 23: RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS. Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of himself or the state, but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime.

A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun if the person is not:

On the person's own premises or premises under the person's control.

Inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle that is owned by the person or under the person's control

A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun in a motor vehicle that is owned by the person or under the person's control at any time in which:

The handgun is in plain view; or

The person is engaged in criminal activity, other than a Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance regulating traffic; prohibited by law from possessing a firearm; or a member of a criminal street gang.

Texas Penal Code 46 states a firearm is defined as any device designed, made or adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance or any device readily convertible to that use. Firearm doesn't include a firearm that may have, as an integral part, a folding knife blade or other characteristics of weapons made illegal by this chapter and that is:

An antique or curio firearm manufactured before 1899; or

A replica of an antique or curio firearm manufactured before 1899, but only if the replica doesn't use rim fire or center fire ammunition.